Hecate, Greek Triple Goddess of the Crossroads
Hecate, One of the Many Names for the Original Feminine Trinity Ruling Heaven, Earth and the Underworld
Hecate, Greek Triple Goddess of the Crossroads

In Greece, Hecate was one of the many names for the original feminine trinity ruling Heaven, Earth and the Underworld. Greeks tended to emphasize her crone or underworld aspect. Hecate was called "Most lovely one", a title of the moon. She was associated with the moon in all three of her aspects. Some said she was Hecate Selene, the Moon in Heaven; Artemis the Huntress on Earth and Persephone the Destroyer in the Underworld. Sometimes she was part of the Queen of Heaven Trinity: Hebe the Virgin, Hera the Mother and Hecate the Crone.

Hecate in Greek mythology is a powerful goddess who has evolved into the patron goddess of Witchcraft and magick. Hecate has three aspects: godess of fertility and plenty; goddess of the moon; and Queen of the night, ghosts and shades. In her moon-goddess aspect, she is often part of a trinity with Selene and Diana/Artemis - the triple goddess.

In Roman mythology, Hekate was known as Trivia (the goddess of crossroads).

Early representations of Hecate depict her as one head or one body; later versions were three heads or three bodies.

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Hecate, Greek Triple Goddess of the Crossroads Hecate, Greek Triple Goddess of the Crossroads Hecate, Greek Triple Goddess of the Crossroads

Hecate, Greek Triple Goddess of the Crossroads Hecate, Greek Triple Goddess of the Crossroads Hecate, Greek Triple Goddess of the Crossroads

Hecate, Greek Triple Goddess of the Crossroads Hecate, Greek Triple Goddess of the Crossroads Hecate, Greek Triple Goddess of the Crossroads.
The color of the cameo is even throughout. Any variations are due to my lighting conditions.

Condition:
In the photo above in the head on the left there are two imperfections in the lava. The hole near the hairline is less than .5 mm.
There is a chip in the crown of the same head which can be seen in the 2nd and 3rd images in the first row to the right.
There appears to be a nick in the nose of the larger head but I can't be sure if it is a flaw or a result of a slip of the carver's hand at work.
I am unable to detect any other imperfections.
[I assume the three holes on the back were used to secure the lava in place during carving.]

Please note:  Images are large in relation to the actual cameo specifically to show detail that would otherwise be lost in a smaller image.

Dimensions:  width: 1-1/4", height: 1-3/8", depth: 3/8"

c. 1860 Lava Cameo Brooch




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